Separating beauties from beasts

Nail Art Tutorial: Snowflake Nails

Here are the Snowflake Nails I’ve been wearing for quite some time. Actually, I procrastinated quite a bit when it came to snapping photos, so all these photos you see are of my 4-day-old manicure.

Later in this post, I show you how to recreate it. This is one of the easiest looks that I’ve ever done, and even if you have a shaky hand like I do, it’ll turn out great. Precision isn’t required for this design! 🙂

*Plays trumpet* All the pictures (except the step-by-step tutorial photos) were taken with my new camera! *Jumps up and down*

They were the result of my first 10 minutes fiddling around with the Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR camera. Even though it was my first time using a Canon camera and my first time using a DSLR, I found it to be extremely user-friendly.

I still have to experiment with it some more because there are so many cool settings I must try out so I can get more creative. For now, though, I was pleased with how it performed…especially in dim natural light (which was my true test because my old Sony Cyber-shot always produced grainy photos in that setting). Also, shades of blue like this gave my old camera a really hard time. Seemed like it ain’t no thang for the Canon!

Note: All of the below photos were taken with my old camera with the flash. See how the blue looks too bright? That’s not as accurate as my above photos.

Step 1: Apply a Base Coat

Step 2: Paint Your Nails the Base Colour

I chose to go with blue because it’s a colour that I associate with frosty weather. Also, it’s my first time trying out an Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics nail polish! 🙂 (You’ll remember me showing it off in my IMATS Toronto 2011 post.)

After painting your nails, wait about 10 minutes before proceeding to the next step.

2 coats of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Pool Boy

Mini Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Pool Boy Review

OCC Pool Boy is a bright blue, but it’s not neon like the above photo would suggest. Please refer to the photos in the swatch section for accuracy.

The formula was extremely pigmented and thick, so even with a single coat, I got impressive coverage. I used 2 coats, however, to ensure that there were zero bald patches. (While I like bald men, I’m not a fan of bald patches on my nails. Yes, that was a bit random.)

Step 3: Make It Snow

I wanted to make my snowflakes go from the outer corner of my nail, so I used my white nail striper to create diagonal lines as shown below.

You may want to scatter the snowflakes all over your nails for a cute sprinkled effect. And consider making your snowflakes all different sizes. I think that’d make it look more interesting. Besides, every snowflake is supposed to be unique anyway, right? 😉

Step 4: Add More Lines

Just have fun adding more lines to the right and left of the diagonal ones you made.

Step 5: Add Little “V”s on the Tips

Step 6: Add More Small Lines

If you wanted to stop here, go ahead. I almost did, but I wanted my manicure to sparkle in the sun, so I continued with glitter.

Step 7: Add Silver Glitter

Here I used my silver-glitter nail striper to trace over some of the lines I made. Again, you could stop here, but I wanted to add glitter to the blue with another polish, so I continued.

Step 8: Add a Glitter Top Coat

Here I used China Glaze Fairy Dust, which is perfect for a glittery top coat. It doesn’t change the colour of your base polish, and the glitter isn’t too dense, so it won’t cover up your design.

It may look like pepper in this photo, but in person, it had a delicate sparkle. 🙂

Wait about 15-20 minutes before proceeding to the last step.

Step 9: Add a Top Coat

Hope that some of you will try out a frosty, winter-inspired manicure this season. 🙂

I have some other designs I’m itching to try. Actually, I’m pretty surprised that I haven’t done any Christmas nail art yet!

Has it snowed where you are yet? Do you like white Christmases, or do you prefer to be somewhere balmy on December 25th? Could you see a difference in my photos? (I’m still learning, so even if you don’t, I’m sure I’ll improve.)

I just painted my nails this design and it’s drying as I type this! I had to use CG For Audrey because it was the closest I had to this color. It was actually pretty easyand I didn’t have much of a problem. By the way, I checked out your CG Fairy Dust review/war with Northern Lights and that’s whatmade me buy the CG top coat. I loved the review and it was hilarious! Where did you buy your bottle of Fairy Dust for that cheap?!

For Audrey is a great choice for the background – I’m picturing it now. 🙂 And I’m glad to hear that it all went without a hitch! YAYYYY!

Hehe, thanks for saying that about my Fairy Dust review. I had a LOT of fun writing that post!

I bought Fairy Dust maybe 3 years ago from one of the online retailers. It was probably Trans Design because back then, I ordered TONS of China Glaze from there. (You can still get this colour for around $2.75-$3 USD at online e-tailers today.)

I loooove snowflakes!! So happy to see these swatches, I cant believe I never thought of trying snowflakes on my nails…probably because I have a completely useless left hand when it comes to steadiness. I guess thats whats great about snowflakes, none two are alike so mistakes are welcome 🙂 I must try my own version of this. Great Idea, and I love the extra sparkle you added.Frosso recently posted: Orly Luck Duck

My left hand is also super shaky, so I have to really concentrate. It’s doable! 🙂 Mind over matter…hehe! I have to really will myself…”Steaddddyyyy…steaddddy!” 😉 But even if you make mistakes, I think they really add character to the final look. For instance, quite a few times, I mess up pupils. Normally it’s from not waiting long enough before adding the top coat, so the pupils smear. Sometimes it makes them look cool and freaky, which is what I like. 😀

Yes, it’s sooooo simple, and even if you make ‘mistakes’, after adding all that glitter, they’re covered up and they wind up looking intentional. 😉

I haven’t seen them in physical stores, although they might be sold here. (I need to pay more attention.) I got this bottle when I went to IMATS Toronto this year. They have a website, but they won’t ship to Canada. 🙁

That DSLR is out of this world. I am flat out impressed by how well it photographed that blue. Your old camera totally freaked out and made it look so neon! I love how the swatch photos look so crisp and sharp. I can even clearly see your skintone (lots of yellow and warm undertones!). That’s what I’m most annoyed with my current T77. The photos can be so soft, especially when it has a hard time focusing for macro shots and it’s a PITA to sharpen it post-prod. 🙁 Now you have me mightily tempted to upgrade. 😛

I love that you did snowflake nails when it’s snowglobe weather outside! I just did my own take but yours is a softer, brighter blue. 🙂 I can’t wait till we get more snow and I can play with my niece outdoors! 😀Carmela recently posted: China Glaze Lighthouse

Same here – my old camera always made a lot of colours look neon with a flash. The DSLR is way more accurate, and I was highly impressed with the accuracy even in low light (or dim daylight). Because of this camera, I’m no longer thinking about getting a fancy light box for the winter! I think I can use the camera and be okay as is.

Judging from what you’ve said about your camera’s trouble focusing for macro shots, yeah, you’ll fall in LOVE with a DSLR. It focuses sooooo well! With my Sony Cyber-shot, I’d have to take 100 photos, and only some would be sharp. But with the Canon, I took 50 photos, and the vast majority of them were useable.

If you upgrade your camera, I highly recommend getting a DSLR! HUGE difference compared to all the point-and-shoots that I’ve used before. Of course, the price is also hefty, but I did a lot of research and snagged the best price. Try waiting for a good sale.

Your snowflake nails are really cute! The blue really does make them look frosty and I love how you added the shimmer on top of the white. These seem easy enough for anyone to try out, thanks for sharing! Nice pictures with your new camera by the way! I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it eventually.Melissa recently posted: Zoya Crystal

Pool Boy is seriously gorgeous!
Canon Rebels are SOOOO nice! I know someone who does photography with one, and his photos come out great all the time!
I’m seriously still amazed how seche vite stays on your nails for 4 days.
I tried it on my toes once, and my polish even came off in sheets on my toes, and got lost in my sock…kind of gross! hahaEmily Jurow recently posted: 30 Day Makeup Challenge

YES, I’m seeing in person what all the hype is about! I have some more photos with my new camera to share in future posts. Can’t wait! Seriously…it saves me tons of time. Before I had to take TONS of photos and weed through them. Then, even the ones I chose, I had to sharpen because they were still a bit blurry. And lots of colours were hard to capture accurately without sunlight. Canon Rebels can capture colours well in a lot of different lighting conditions! 😀 Definitely an investment camera, though, since it’s expensive…but it’s really worth it in my opinion.

Actually, Seche Vite can last on me for up to 7 days. But I was ready to remove this nail art by the 4-day mark. 🙂 I think it’s because my natural nails are on the drier side, so polish just sticks to them better. I don’t really have issues with polish chipping, except with Zoya nail polish, because the formula is just reallllly thin.

As for polish on my toe nails, that’s a different story! While I can get manicures to last 7 days or so, on my toes, I can barely get polish to last for 2 days without just chipping like crazy.

We almost never get snow here but after seeing this cute mani I predict snowflakes in my future! 🙂 And I’m so jealous of your new camera! The new pics look great, although I don’t know if I love the yellow-y setting. My camera takes THE WORST pics. I need to “invest” for sure!Nicole recently posted: Red With White Polka Dots

Thanks for you feedback on the yellowish setting. 🙂 You’re so far the only person to comment on that, so THANK YOU! I’m going to try to stick to using the other setting more, but I still need to experiment with all the other cool features.